Kickstarter Kompilation: December 2021 edition
"Print is dead," Egon? Not this month!
The clock has struck 12, which means this is the final video game crowdfunding roundup of the year. Feel like making someone else's holiday dreams come true? Now's your chance!
As always, we have no insider information or financial interest in any of these projects, and no one at Retronauts has been compensated for including anything on this page. Also, in light of the ongoing pandemic (omicron omg), we recommend only backing crowdfunding campaigns if you feel comfortable with your own security and stability.
The Legend of the Crystal (ends December 13 estimated reward date April 2022)
Final Fantasy Union, an online database of Final Fantasy knowledge, is looking to bind their words and ideas into an unofficial guide to the series they love. Their goal is to cover 127 games, from the original 1987 release up through Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier.
Betrayed Alliance (ends December 16 estimated reward date May 2023)
This is the second "book" of a planned trilogy of Sierra-style adventure games. Book One is already available, free of charge, and the goal is for each subsequent book to likewise cost nothing. That means the money has to come from somewhere and that somewhere is Kickstarter. Since the project's basic goal is already met, stretch goals are in place that promise to upgrade and improve the art and music for the first game.
Celebrating 20 Years of Xbox (ends December 22 estimated reward date April 2022)
As recently discussed on Retronauts, the original Xbox turned 20 just last month and this project is an unofficial retrospective tome written by fans to commemorate that anniversary. The plan is to include a "full and detailed history and timeline of every game ever released" plus interviews "with your Xbox Community."
Vita Means Life (ends December 24 estimated reward date April 2022)
We've featured author Sandeep Rai before in these pages, and his latest project follows up his previous efforts to document the history of the PlayStation Vita, a console which officially turns retro this month (nevermind when it died, it's about to turn 10). While this edition will include material from his earlier books, there will also be "new material for more recent events" and an all-new hardcover edition will be released.
Ninja Issen (ends December 27 estimated reward date March 2022)
This one stings, because if I had been able to make my annual trip to Busan to play indie games this year, I'd surely have seen and played Ninja Issen by now, perhaps even interviewed the creator over a delicious bowl of tteokbokki. Instead, I had to settle for trying it out on Steam: it's fast-paced, combo-driven action that is a little too hard for me but I'm sure would excite a lot of other people out there.
Fall For You (ends 1/1/2022 estimated reward date April 2022)
"Rhythm-based Roguelike Gameshow in Hell" is a great concept, even if I'm awful at keeping rhythm. The sole developer says the game is "about halfway done" but needs a little financial help to complete the project, hence, Kickstarter (there's already a demo though). Technically this campaign ends next month but let's get real: I'm not writing one of these posts on New Year's Day! See you in 2022, everyone!
